Enclosed switch



Nov. 9, 1937.

c. E. HANNY 2,098,579

ENCLOSED SWITCH Filed Nov. 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES E. HANNY,

I BY

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" R'NEY C. E. HANNY ENCLOSED SWITCH Nov. 9, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 19, 1935 Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENCLOSED SWITCH nccticnt Application November 19, 1935, Serial No. 50,498

comma.

This invention relates to enclosed switches, especially of the multi-pole type mounted within a box and operated by a handle outside the box.

One object is to provide a device of this type in which the switch and its mounting may be easily and quickly inserted orremoved from the box.

Anotherbbject is to provide a quick make and break type switch of this class in which the opening and closing movements of the switch are limited by abutments.

Another object is to provide such 'a switch which may be removable from the box in either open or closed position of the switch.

A further object is to provide an enclosed switch in which the movable switch members are actuated by a crank extending across the enclosing box andthe movable switch members are switch members.

Such a construction required more joints and more connections than were necessary and desirable. Also enclosed type switches of this sort are frequently mounted in boxes provided with 35 automatic locking mechanisms which enable the cover of the box to be opened only when the switch is open. Sometimes this automatic interlock between the cover and the switch is diihcult for one unfamiliar with the construction to understand andoperate to close the switch with the box open.

According to this invention the switch construction issimplified by a reduction in the num- 45 her of joints or connections and the switch so made that the entire switch and its base may be removed from the enclosing box.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of one embodiment 50 of this invention with the cover of the box partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the-line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail of the hook member for con- 5 necting the movable switch part with the crank,

crank shaft and 'a cross bar or bushing and the related blades and hooks.

Fig. '7 is a side view showing the same kind of 5 cross bar or insulating bushing used with a double throw switch.

A customary type metalbox ill provided'with perforations 9 in the base for securing the same to a wall, has the usual cover ll secured to the box by hinges l1. Within the box an insulating v base I 3 fora switch is secured to the box by means of countersunk screws H which are in threaded engagement with stamped-in portions l5 of the bottom of the box, such portions being internally threaded to engage the screws. I

Mounted on the insulating base are stationary switch members ii of some usual construction adapted to receive the movable knife type switch members I! pivoted at l8 so that the switch may be opened when the members H are swung upwardly out of contact with the stationary switch member l6. As is customary in constructions of this type the insulating base 13 may be provided with removable cartridge fuses l9 mounted in the clips indicated.

For actuating the switch a handle 20 outside of the box is pivotally mounted and adapted to rotate the crank 21 and crank shaft which extends transversely across the box on the inside.

The handle is not necessarily directly connected to the crank shaft but may be connected therewith through a spring actuated toggle or othermechanism capable of giving the crank a rapid or snap movement for opening or closing the switch. Yieldable abutments 22 mounted on the inside of the box are engaged by the crank to limit' the opening movement of the switch. The spring 23 is part of the toggle or quick make and break mechanism for actuating the crank. 40

Secured to the movable switch members I! by rivets or other well known means are the hook shaped links 25. These links are secured to one side of the movable switch members ll and secured contiguous the underside of the switchmembers I! are insulating blocks 24 which are also fastened to the hook shaped members 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. These blocks are preferably ofsome phenoliccondensation product,- or the like, but they may be slightly yieldable since their function is to act as stops to limit closing movement of the movable switch members H, the members 24 engaging the insulating base 13. The hook shaped end of the members 25 engage grooves 26 in the cross bar or bushing lating base until the crank M is out of the grooves of the cross bar or bushing 2', the switch and its insulating base may be withdrawn from the box. Boxes of this type frequently havean interlock mechanism which prevents the cover being opened when the switch is closed and allows the cover to be opened only when the switch is open. This mechanism also frequently prevents the switch being closed when the cover (I l of the box is open.

To one unfamiliar with the operation of this interlocking mechanism it may be dimcult' to close the switch with the cover of the box open and for this reason the present invention has been so designed that the switch and its mounting may be removed from the box irrespective of whether the switch be in the open or closed position. The grooves 26 in which the hook members 25 engage serve to hold the insulating cross bar 2i against movement longitudinally of the crank and crank shaft and hold it in place without the addition of any rivets and the like.

A noteworthy feature of this invention is the simplification in construction, which enables the insulating cross bar 2i] to function as the connecting spacing and insulating bridge between the poles or blades of the switch, yet this bridg-- ing portion is possessed of the new function of serving as an insulating bushingaround the metallic actuating crank.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the switch blade ill has the connecting hook 25' integral with it.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a' double throw switch with stationary contacts 3i]! and ti and the double bladed hinged switch member 32 adapted to be thrown from one closed position to another or moved to an intermediate open circuit position. The crank sills actuated in any suitable manner. The cross bar 3% partially embraces the crank 33 and is grooved at 35 to he slipped in between the oppositely arranged blades of one or more pairs of movable switch members.

- I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a connector for an electric switch formed of insulating material and having a longitudinal channel open at one side to detachably receive the crank shaft of a switch and having grooves in its outer wall spaced to interlock with the hooks of spaced switch blades.

2. An enclosed switch including a box having a cover, an insulating base removably fastened in the box, a multi-pole switch mounted on said base and having stationary and movable switch members, a crank shaft with a crank portion extending across the box, an actuating handle outside the box for rotating the crank, an

aoeatva insulating cross bar of U-shaped cross section on said crank, and links connecting said movable switch members and insulating cross bar, said links having hooks detachably engaging the cross bar and shaped to permit removal of said base and switch from the box by sliding engagement or disengagement of the links from the said cross bar.

3. An enclosed switch including a box having a cover, an insulating base removably mounted in the box, a multi-pole switch mounted on said base and having stationary and movable switch members, a crank shaft with a crank portion extending across the box, an actuating handle outside the box for rotating the crank, an insulating cross bar of U-shaped cross section on said switch member on said base, a movable switch member pivotally mounted on the base, a crank shaft having a crank portion extending across the box for opening and closing said switch, an actuating handle on the outside of the box for moving said crank, a hook fastened to the movable switch member and engaging said crank, said hook being shaped to allow the switch member and its base to be attached or detached from the crank and from the box without removal of the crank, a U-shaped insulating cross bar around the crank and shaped for removal of said switch and hook member, and means of engagement between the hook member and insulating cross bar limiting relative movement between the two longitudinally of the crank shaft.

5. An enclosed switch including a base having a cover, an insulating base for the switch removably fastened in the box, a multi-pole switch mounted on said base and having stationary and movable switch members, a crank shaft having a crank portion extending across the box, an actuating handle outside the box for rotating said crank, a U-shaped insulating cross bar loosely secured to the crank, a link connecting said cross bar and movable switch members for actuating the movable switch members by said crank.

6. A multi-pole switch having movable and stationary switch members, an actuating crank for the movable switch members, an insulating cross bar connecting the movable switch members for actuating them in unison, said cross bar having a longitudinal groove open at one s de to receive said crank, the connection between said insulating cross bar and the movable switch members including hook shaped portions detachably engaging with said cross bar.

CHARLES E. HANNY. 

